Fire and Ice

Chapter Four

Opal's heart pounded in his ears. He couldn't open his eyes but he heard talonsteps and wingbeats and doors opening then slamming shut and then..nothing. A great, peaceful nothing.

He opened his eyes, they were already adjusted to the dimness of the room. The only light came from the closed door. It was hot and humid in the room, actually very wet. He dared to glance up and saw hanging chains and ropes and vines, even some hammock looking shapes and nets.

His claws and wings were bound behind him by chains. He tried to melt the chains but they seemed unmeltable. "Don't even try." a voice muttered from behind him.

"Who are you? Where am I?" he asked, unable to hide the panic in his voice. "So you're the fabled Opal. The Invincible IceWing. The Murder Weapon. The 'Secret' defense. The fire monster." This voice definitely was not the Skywing who'd captured him.

"Are those supposed to be names for me? You're terrible at insults." he shot back angrily.

"Oh you think I made those up? Right, you and your queen still think you're secret. You don't know that more than half the continent knows who you are. They have for years. They know who you are and what you can do. But only we know how powerful you are." she said with a scoff.

He tried to pull away but the bindings only seemed to construct on his wrists. "Answer me!" he hissed. He wanted power. He wanted an advantage but it seemed like he had to control.

"You really think I'm scared of you?" she laughed. Opal could hear scales scraping against the damp stone floor as the dragon behind him began to pace. Why do they all talk like the queen? Spitting out every other word like it's a rotten fish. I'm sick of it!

"Talk like you're queen? You don't like Caribou, ey?" She asked slyly. "Y-you can read my mind?!" he yelped. "Why of course I can!" she chirped. She tapped the back of his head with one claw. "Well at least tell me your name!" he sighed.

"Hm. Fair enough I suppose." she muttered. "The name's CosmoStealer." she said proudly. "CosmoStealer? Seriously?" Opal scoffed. It had to be the dumbest name he'd ever heard. Even dumber than Goat!

"HEY! IT'S NOT DUMB! You're just a beetle-brained sand eater!" she shot back defensively. He eyed the door, squinting at it. He could see the handle but no lock. He observed the edges where the light came through. A faint shine crossed through the spaces.

Enchanted. Invisible clamp. It's most likely to set off some kind of alarm when opened by someone other than a scales of power member. So I can't open it.

"Ahh, clever one aren't you?" CosmoStealer observed. "Clever enough to resist all of your stupid interrogation tactics so don't even try me SpaceThief." He threatened. "It's CosmoStealer, and I seriously doubt that but I'll give you some time to rest after your travels."

He watched as she passed in front of him and slipped through the door, slamming it shut behind her. She's just a normal Nightwing, though she probably has animus powers too.

Opal pulled and twisted and tried to escape the chains but they were far stronger than he thought. He heard a thump behind him and then he felt warm scales touch his claws.

He acted on his reflexes and burst into flames. "Woah there, I'm not trying to hurt you- Opal, was it?" yet another voice mused. He didn't know what else to do besides trust this stranger so he extinguished the fire.

A second later the chains clattered off on both his talons and wings. "There, all d-" the stranger said but Opal was quick to act. He whipped around and caught the dragon on his neck. This dragon was a sandwing, almost his height. He looked strong and cunning.